During last week's budget presentation, Lewis and Brown said there would be no layoffs among police and fire workers. Today's proposal banks on a $20 million federal grant to keep at least 100 public safety workers in place.

The budget also calls for the privatization of the Department of Transportation and an independent authority to manage the lighting department while the city maintains ownership. Both those changes would go into effect on July 1 if the budget is approved, Brown said.

There are still plans for a 10-percent wage reduction for all city employees -- including the City Council -- and consolidations of several departments, including health and wellness, human services, City Airport and workforce development.

The budget also calls for slashes in expenditures for key city operations. The city's law department would get a 55-percent reduction, for example, while the city's recreation department would get a 50-percent cut.

"There's more than one way of achieving fiscal stability, and we need to challenge our own way of thinking," said councilwoman JoAnn Watson, who expressed concerns over the number of cuts.

The city is still eyeing a goal of creating a $96 million surplus, as outlined during the first budget presentation. $250 million would be cut from the city's expenditures this year, and $75 million would be paid toward the city's deficit.

The council will meet at a later date to continue deliberating the proposed budget.